Replies

1. 
   SCFrankland | Apr 23, 2004 02:42pm | #1

   Check to see if the lever cap is making full contact with the blade along the bottom edge. If it isn't then take and file the mating surface down until you have good contact between the leading edge of the lever cap and the blade.

   Scott C. Frankland

   Scott's WOODWORKING Website

   "He who has the most tools may not win the race of life but he will sure make his wife look like a good catch when she goes to move on."

1. 
   Frozen | Apr 23, 2004 07:23pm | #2

   If this is the Veritas low-angle spokeshave, then it doesn't have a lever cap. I would try adjusting the depth of cut by moving the toe piece.

1. 
   SCFrankland | Apr 23, 2004 08:05pm | #3

   If he has the spoke shave below then yes you are right.

   View Image

   But if has this spokeshave then my idea would work.

   View Image

   Scott C. Frankland

   Scott's WOODWORKING Website"He who has the most tools may not win the race of life but he will sure make his wife look like a good catch when she goes to move on."

1. 
   jazzdogg | Apr 24, 2004 07:58pm | #6

   Scott,

   How do you like the new Veritas spokeshaves with the wooden handles? I tried a friend's the other day and the knurled knobs that adjust the depth of cut were very fussy - a PITA to deal with. Made me decide to stick with the small brass spokeshaves and Brian Boggs-designed models being made by Lie-Nielsen.

   Here's to tools and what they enable us to do,-Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

1. 
   SCFrankland | Apr 24, 2004 08:13pm | #7

   I only have the low angle spokeshave and I love it. I am not a big spoke shave user though I have been looking at the LN Boggs. Haven't made up my mind though.Scott C. Frankland

   Scott's WOODWORKING Website"He who has the most tools may not win the race of life but he will sure make his wife look like a good catch when she goes to move on."

   Edited 4/24/2004 2:48 pm ET by Scott Frankland

2. 
   SamWilson | Apr 24, 2004 02:49am | #5

   Thanks for the reply. I have the low-angle shave. I'll try adjusting the depth of cut. I have been leaving it set for a pretty deep cut (and with the tighter radius shoe), so that it will work on both tight inside curves and, by tilting it forward, flatter surfaces. Maybe I don't have the skill or maybe it just won't work with that setting on the flatter surfaces.

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Apr 25, 2004 01:09am | #8

   Sam,

   I'll try posting again (server crashed at Taunton end), so excuse the point form.

   I have been leaving it set for a pretty deep cut (and with the tighter radius shoe), so that it will work on both tight inside curves and, by tilting it forward, flatter surfaces

   This is your problem, I believe.

   Imagine setting a plane with the blade 1/8" proud and then trying to control the cut by holding the toe of the plane 9/64" exactly off the surface of the board.

   The chatter is coming from the spokeshave digging in as it cuts and you then ripping it out of the surface.

   The blockages are coarse chips (I'm guessing)

   Try setting a fine blade and see how that goes.

   Cheers,

   eddie

1. 
   SamWilson | Jul 06, 2004 07:43pm | #9

   Thanks for all of the replies. From the postings on Knots, a video by Brian Boggs on the Fine Woodworking website, plus material in Drew Langsner's book The Chairmaker's Workshop, I have concluded that the following factors are key to getting a smooth, controlled shaving:

   1) Set the blade to take a light cut

   2) Keep the pressure on the toe of the spokeshave, not on the heel.

   3) It is sometimes necessary to skew the spokeshave, if the grain is diffiult.

   Keeping the pressure on the toe (#2 above) will depend on on hand position and whether you push or pull. That in turn will depend on what kind of shave you are using. For a Veritas low-angle spokeshave, the handles are set low, so that it's pretty easy to keep the pressure on the toe when you pull. Pushing is not as easy. For a Record spokeshave, however, the handles are set high, you must take a lot of extra care if you pull, but not so much if you push.

   Thanks again to all on Knots, plus the authors mentioned. My spokeshaving is working much better now. (In fact, I now like the Record shave almost as much as the Veritas!)

   Sam

2. 
   wop | Apr 24, 2004 12:19am | #4

      You're right it does that pretty badly. The Boggs shave from Lie-Neilson doesn't. I have both. But that's neither here nor there. So ,as to the problem.You need to regrind or sharpen the lever cap. At the edge of the bevel of the lever cap Lee Valley ground a flat(90°) where it contacts the blade, This blocks the shavings and causes it to choke in particular on a fine setting. For me this worked well enough.(not perfect but well enough).

                                                            Philip